Josh Barnett, the would-be “Affliction: Trilogy” headliner who was denied a license for the fight because of a failed drug test, wasn’t cleared of any wrongdoing by his “B” sample.

In an email to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), a California State Athletic Commission representative confirmed the sample tested positive for a metabolite of the anabolic steroid Drostanolone.

The initial sample, which forced Barnett out of a scheduled and hugely anticipated Aug. 1 bout with Fedor Emelianenko, detected the same drug.

Barnett has denied knowingly taking any banned substances and hoped his “B” sample would clear him of the offense. Barnett also failed a tests due to steroids in 2001 and 2002 (when he was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title).

News of Barnett’s failed test was made public on July 21. And though Affliction spent a few days searching for an opponent, the organization ultimately scrapped the event altogether (and then closed the MMA-promotional arm of the company) last week.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Barnett’s manager, Shannon Hooper, hinted that the fighter will appeal the findings.

“Mr. Barnett vehemently denies intentionally ingesting any banned substances in preparation for the Aug. 1 fight,” Hooper stated. “He is looking forward to presenting his case to the California State Athletic Commission.

Barnett’s test was observed in the presence of a CSAC representative, and the sample was sent to the World Anti-doping Agency test facility at UCLA on June 25 for processing, according to the commission.

Barnett, 31, is not currently suspended, but he’s unable to apply for a license for another 12 months.

For more on this story, check out the Josh Barnett archives here at MMAjunkie.com.